requirements for church annulment
DESCRIPTION
An annulment is a declaration by a Church tribunal (a Catholic church court) that a marriage thought to be valid according to Church law actually fell short of at least one of the essential elements required for a binding union.TRANSCRIPT
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DIOCESAN TRIBUNALDiocese of San Pabb
M, Paulino St., San Pablo CityTel. Nos.: (049) 561-1857loc. 106
INSTRUCTION FOR USING PRETIMINARY QUESTIONAIRE
This form is designed to help you, the Petitioner, to express your interest in seekinga canonical decision regarding the spiritual validity of your former marriagefs).The form you are about to complete is only a Preliminary Questionnaire designed tocover all possible marriage cases. The information you give is important for us todetermine whether or not t}te Tribunal can be of help. If there appear to besufficient grounds on which to accept your case, we will notifyyou. An applicationfee of P500.00 should be attachedto your formal petition.
Any information yoq gtve to the Tribunal could made available to your formerspouse in formal process. The other party has the right to petition to review suchInformation either in person or through their duly appointed pro)ry(Procurator/Advocate). No confidentiality can be requested or granted. Therefore,whateveryou tell us mustbe provable eitherthrough documents or soundtestimony. Claims which cannotbe substantiated are of little or no help.
This and all other forms and questionnaires must be signed before a dulyauthorized notary of the Tribunal.
ALL addresses, zip codes and telephone numbers requested mustbe correct andcomplete. It is ESSENTIAL that we have a complete, current address for therespondent. Unnecessary delays will occur if this information is not complete.
Any civil or religious documents requested MUST BE CERTIFIED or notarized by th,e
appropriate or ecclesiastical authorities. Mere photocopies are not acceptable incivil or ecclesiastical courts as legal documents.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES should you be given any false hopes about afavourable solution to this matter. SET NO WEDDING DATES unless and until a
Decree of Nullity has been issued to you by the proper Church authority.
There are many others seeking canonical decision about their former marriages.This procedure will take much time and effort on your part and ours. Your case willbe heard in sequential order behind the other cases already pending in the Tribunal.Please contact us either by telephone or in writing every seven to eight weeks tocheck on the progress ofyour case.
Rev. Fr. Ridardo De LunaiclfudicialVicar
4.
7.
II
DIOCESAN TRIBIINAL'Diocese
of San PabloM. Paulino St., SanPabloCity
Tel. Nos.: (049) 561-1857loc. 105
GENERAL INFORMATION SHEET
Name of PETITIONER
Residence
Tel. No.
Parish
Date& Placeof Birth
Baptisur (Churdt)
Name of Fattrcr
Narrre of Mother
Sctrools Attended
Date:
Religioru
Religion
Name of RESITONDENT:
Residence
Tel. No.
Parish
Date & Place of Birttt
Baptism (Church)
Narrre of Father
Name of Mother
Sctrools Attended
Date:
Religion
Religion
Marriage (Church) : I
Where did they live togefter?
Date of Separation :
Children (Please lnchrde nmtes):
Was marriage brought to the civil court?
Date:
How long?
BILL OT COMPI,AINT
TM REVEREND JTIDICIAL VICARDiocesan TribunalDiocese of San PabloM. Paulino St., P.O. Box 8
San Pablo City
born onLln and
baptized as aat and
presently residing atMARRI E D
andon
at
My spouse was born on ln
baptized as a
andon
alsoat
and presentlyresiding at
It is my firm conviction that the said marriage is ITULL and YOID ab initiobefore the eyes of the Catholic Church bmause of
In zupport ofthis conviction, I offer the following facts enclosed in my CASEHISTORY
Wherefore, I request that jurisdiction of this cause be taken up by thisTRIBUNAL and that the Respondent be cited to appear and answer this allegation. Ifurther request that this Tribunal, upon hearing the case, gile a declaration that mymarriage to the above-mentioned Respondent is NULL and VOID from the verybeginning on the strength ofthe alleged ground.
PETITIONER
Date:
r .lI
STATEMENT OF PETITIONER
L. I have read and fully understood the policies of the Diocesan Tribunal of the Diocese
of San Pablo and I hereby agree to all the stipulations contained therein.2. Moreover, it is my duty to provide the Tribunal wit} all the required documents as
well as a complete, current and accurate list of all my witnesses. I agree to informthem that said Tribunal will contact them. I will make myself available for personaltestimony
3. If the Tribunal is able to decide t}tis case, there is no guarantee that the final decisionwill be favorable to me. I also understand that no guarantee can be given to me
aboutwhen the canonical process will be completed.4. I understand that I may not set a date for any future marriage in the Catholic Church
untii, and if, an affirmative decision is given and approved by a second ecclesiasticalconfirmatory decision. I undersand that no priest or deacon may provide me witheven a tentative date for a future marriage in the Catholic Church.
5. A decision depends wholly on the merits of the case, the evidence and the exact
reasons, which the Church recognizes as grounds for nullity. I understand that if an
affirmative decision is reached
a. either the defender of the bond or my spouse may appeal it and;
' b ;:llll:liXtiHli;X1',ii,XillT,Xx:?:i#"'"1*:::l,f"T;marriage. Anyone of these may delay my ability to set a date for aforthcoming marriage in the Catholic Church.
6. I understand that the Tribunal staff is bound by oath to confidentiality. Because ofthe sensitive nature of the information gathered in this process and because the
Tribunal wishes to promote the spirit of Christian charity, all the informationgathered in the course of this investigation is considered to be exclqsive,
confidential property of the Tribunal of the Diocese of San Pablo. This informationis never made available except as required by Catholic Church law for inspection bythe Procurator/Advocate for the Petitioner or'the Respondent The |udge may
curtail the availability of the information even to the Procurator/Advocate forspecial reasons that he determines to avoid serious dangers. The information is notmade available to the witnesses or for any civil proceedings.
T. I will inform the Tribuna} of any future change in my name, address or my civil
status.
AFFIDAVIT OF PETITIONER
I AGREE TO COOPEMTE FULLY WITH THE TRIBUNAL AND TO BE BOUND BY THE
POLICIES IN THE ABOVE STATEIVfENT. I SWEAR THAT THE CASE HISTORY, WHICH I
SUBMIT WITH THIS AFFIDAVIT, IS THE WHOLE TRUTH'
Signature:
Date:
DIOCESAN TRIBUNATDiocese of San Pablo
M. Paulino SL, San Pablo CityTeL Nos.: (049) 561-1857loc.106
HOry TO MAKE A CASE HISTORY
Address to : The REVEnEND IUDICIAL,VICARDIOCESAN TRJBUNAL
. Diocese of San PabloM. Paulino SL, San Pablo City
CONTENTS:
1. FAMILY BACKGROUND of BOTH PARTIES
a) PARENTS
What kind of work did they do? How did they relate to family and friends? How didthey practice their religion? How did they get along together? Where there anyproblems in their marriage? Discuss how you related to each parent How did they
raise their children? Did they both. raise you? Did they allow you to become
independent? Did theytake an interest in you and your development? Were theyover protective? Did they set realistic goals for you? Which parents was dominantas far as you were concerned? Did you feel rejected by either? Did you feel
deprived of anything while growing up? Did you over-come this later? Did you
dislike any household member? <Why?> Did either parent feel inferior? <Why?>
Did either have psychiatric care? Were there any.unusual burdens the family faCed
while grew up? Were there any history of divorces, emotional problems in yourparents?
Your BROTHERS and SISTERS:
List of names and dates of birth in chronological order, including yourself. How didyoU relate tO each other? Howwere they raised in comparison to you? How didthey influence your attitudes, marriage, etc,? Are you still in regular contact withthem?
Your EDUCATION:
Where did you attend school? What type of studentwere you? Did you fail any
grades or quit school early? If so, give the reasons. Explain any problems in school
iither with studies or fri'ends. What grade level of school did you complete?
b)
c)
ADOLESCENCE:
Where there happy times? Why or why not? Did any special experience have agreat effect on you? How did you relate to boys and girls? What was your parentsattitude towards sex and marriage? How did you react to sex? When did you firststart to date? Where there any serious relationships or other engagements? Tellwhen and how serious relationship ended. Were you ever in love with someoneother than your former spouse? Had you experienced any sexual relationshipsbefore marriage? Did you have any serious illness while growing up? How muchcontact did you have with your former spouse's family prior to the marriage? Didyou have any serious illness while growing up? How much contact did you havewith your former spouse's famrly prior to the marriage? What contact did you havewith your foimer spouse's family prior to the marriage? What was your impressionof his/her family? Did you feel comfortable with the attitudes and values of yourformer spouse's family (were these above or below your expectadons?) How didyour spouse treat his/her parents, brothers and sisters?
Your FORMER SPOUSES FAMILY:
Answer sections [a) through (d) [parents, brot]rers and sisters, education andadolescence) regarding your former spouse (indicate all that you know abouthim/her in these areas)
2. CHAMCTERDESCRIPTION of BOTH PARTIES:
Discuss moods and temperaments, positive and negative traits, hobbies, etc.
3. COURTSHIP:
When and how did you meet? How old are you both? What was your first '
impression of your former spouse? How long and often did you date before theengagement? How did your family react? Did you get along with your in-laws? Was
the engagement broken? <Why> How long did the engagement last? What madeyou decide on the engagement? Was the marriage date advanced? <lMrP How didyou show affection? Did your life change in any significant events during courtship?Did either of you have serious doubts about the marriage? .\{hy or whaD Did
anyone counsel you about them? How did you and/or your former spouse deal withthese doubts? Were both able to make a sensible, mature and balanced decision tomarry? How much pre-marriage preparation didyou have? Did anyone caution
either of you about this marriage? Briefly describe each of your personalities at the
time of your courtship? What attracted you to your spouse? How much contact didyour family have with your former spouse during the courtship? How did she/he
get along with your family? What was your family's feeling about your spouse
during the courtship? Did both families ercourage the relations to continue?
4. CML WEDDING, if any: CHURCH WEDDING:
Did anyttring unusual happen duringthe wedding and/or resenting? (lf thismarriage was a Church validation of a civil marriage: Why did you have the
d)
e)
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marriage validated?) Describe fullythe attitudes each of you had aboutthis. Werethere difficulties or pressures at that time? What prompted you to have t}temarriage in Church? How was your common life at that time? How long and wherewas the honeymoon? Did anything unusual happen during the honeymoon? If so,
please explain. Was there any physical or emotional distress as a result of thehoneymoon or early days of your common life? Was the marriage consummated? Ifthe marriagi was not consummate4 please explain why it was not? How did youfeel about the quality of your sexual life? How did your former spouse feel about it?Explainanydifficultiesonyoursexuallife?Dideitherrefusetheother?<Why?>
How did each of you have to adJust to make the mamiage work? How long was ithappy for both? Who was the dominant spouse atrd how did t}re other react? Wereyou equals? Could you discuss problems as partners? How well did each of you
fulfil the needs of the other? What are the major dissensions in the marriage? Whendid they arise? What cause them? How did each of you respond? How could youportrayyour arguments? Was there ever abuse? How did you communicate yourdifferences, problems, and conflicts? Any moral or character problems flytng,cheating stealing arrest, imprisonment, trouble with civil authorities?) Was thereiury use of drugs or alcohol? Did this cause problem?
CHILDREN:
Did the presence or absence of children hurt your relationship? <Whyb How didyou deal with this? How did each of you relate withyour children? Who was moreresponsible fortheir material needs, their upbringing and theirguidance? <Why?>
Were both of you interested in them? Was either party abusive (physically,emotionally or verbally) or domineering?
a
SEPAMTIONS:
What brought about the first separation? Please describe the first separation indetail. Whatwas the cause of subsequent separations? How manytim€s did you
separate before the final separation? How much effort did either seek counselling?<explain> What was the actual date when you ceased living together? What caused
this?
WORK HISTORY:
Did you both work? Did either of you change jobs frequently? <Why?> Anyproblems with co-workers or superior? Did either party's job cause maritalproblems? <Why?>
CONCLUSION: :
From your point of vidw, explain why the marriage failed. How have the lives ofeach of you-been the separaiion? <divorce?> Has anything significant happened
since then?
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8.
9.
10. LIST of WITNESSES:
Please list pehons who have knowledge of your family background, childhood ormarital situation and who would provide us information. You must contact thembefore presenting them. We suggest you include your parents, siblings and friendslfrom courtship. Please make an effortto include witnesses from your side and fromyour former spouse's side. If they inquire about confidentiality, please inform them
. that it is the Tribunal's poliry to always keep strict confidentiality. You must givecomplete and current names, addresses and phone numbers. There is no limit to thenumbers of witnesses. We will contact them initidly by mail, or if the parties sodesire, they may hand carry tle communications to them. Also, list all thecounsellors, psychologists and psychiatrists either of you saw before, during predter the marriage. If either of you was hospitalized for any nenvous/mentaldifficultybefore, during or afterthe marriage, please list names and address of thehospital and which party.
SignatureDate of Submission
NOTE:
The Case History should be type written, in triplicate and either hand carried or send bymail.The evaluation of the merits of the petitionerwill depend largely on the completeness of theCase HistoryThe Case History should be submitted together with the GENEML INFORMATION SHEET
and a BILL of COMPLAINT (duly fllled up and signed by the Petitionqr).
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:(2) I.D. pictures oitott parties, BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATES of both parties, MARRIAGE
CONTMCT and other documents pertinentto the case.
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